Machine for folding and pressing the edges of fabrics



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. F. PELLOWS.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PRBSSING THB BDGBS 0F FABRICS. No. 435,137. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

l NIU :Imi

w/TNEssEs.' INVENTURJ.

MMT/d (No Model.) 4'Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. F. FEL-LOWS. MACHINE POR FOLDING AND PRESSING THE EDGES 0F FABRICS. No. 435,137. PatentedlAug.26,1890.

w/T/vEss-Es: @Madd/5:.;

(No Model.) 4 Sheets--Sheet 3.

J. F. FELLOWS. MACHINE FOB. FOLDING AND PR'ESSING THB BDGES 0F PABRGSn No. 435,137. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

WIT-NESSES.' NVENTR.' JMTBWZ (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. J. P. FELLOWS. MACHINE POR FOLDING AND PRESSING THE EDGES OP FABRICS.

Patented Aug-26, 1890.

WITNESSES.

www www UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMESF. FELLOVS, OF TROY, NEW' YORK.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING AND PRESSING THE E'DGES 0F FABRICS. l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,13*?, dated August 26, 1890.

' 'Application inea February 24, 1890. serai No. 341,383. (No model.)

To all whom tmaygca acera:

Be it known that .LJAMEs F. FELLows, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, county of Rensselaer', and State of New York, have invent-ed certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Folding and Pressing the Edges of Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several gures herein.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine that will fold curved as well as straight edges of fabric and in a continuous operation so break and press the fold that it will remain substantially intact during successive stages of manufacture into wearingapparel until permanently secured by stitching.

Figure l of the drawings is a top plan view of my improved machine. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively side and front end elevations of the saine. Fig. t is a View of the folder detached. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the broken line 5 5 in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is aview of a sheet-metal blank before the same is bent to make a folder. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of one of the cogged or fluted wheels detached. Fig. S is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the relative position of the lower wheel, folder, and fabric while in use, the upper wheel being removed and a portion of the folder-shank broken away. The last six figures are shown upon an enlarged scale.

A is the frame of the machine, which may be secured to a bench or bed-plate A2 by setscrews A. The frame is provided with suitable bearings for the horizontal shaft A3, upon one end of which is fixed the drivingpulley A4, provided with a groove A5 to receive a power-belt, and with a crank-handle A to be actuated by hand-power when other power is not desired. The other end of the shaft is provided with the detachable wheel B, adapted to be engaged by and actuate the similar wheel B. Fach of these wheels is provided on its periphery with a double series of cogs or flanges a and b, the flanges in one series being located opposite the flutes in the other series on the same wheel, so that when the wheels are brought into engagement with each other a flange upon each wheel enters a flute upon the other wheel at the same time. The wheel B has a stem (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2) which enters the hollow shaft A3 and is held therein by a set-screw A7. The wheel B is provided with a spindle B2, rotary in suitable bearings in the oscillatory end of the arm-B3, the other end being pivoted to the main frame .at A8. The end of the spindle Bzis provided with a groove B", adapted to receive the holding-pin B5, inserted in .an aperture in the oscillatory arm. By removing this pin, cogged or fluted wheels of various sizes and modified forms can be successively substituted for the wheel B. The wheel B can likewise be changed by loosening the set-screw. The lower wheel B projects up through an opening B6 in the plate B7, which plate is supported by the main frame. The folder C serves to fold the edge of the fabric and guide the folded edge in 'between the wheels. This folder is adjustably secured to the plate B7 by means of the thumb-screw C in the folder-shank into a threaded aperture in the plate. The inner edge of the folder is so formed as to present a curved or beveled" edge O3, terminating in the point C4. I also provide means for varyn ing the pressure of the wheels upon thefolded edges of fabric as it is fed from the folder in between them, consisting of the lever D, fulcrumed at Ds upon the frame and adapted to engage with the oscillatory wheel-supporting arm B3. The end of the leverD is connected by link D2 (shown in Fig. 3 only) with the treadle D3. By pressing down upon the treadle the Wheels are pressed together, and by releasing the treadle the wheels are separated, as shown in Fig. 2, by the coil-spring D4, which acts upon oscillating arm B3 to lift its wheel-supporting end, the arm resting IOO upon the upper end of the spring and moving in a slideway or slot in the upper end of the post A9, erected from the main frame.

The dotted lines in Fig. 3 show the movement of the lever D and actuating-treadle.

It is obvious that the fabric-edge can be folded and drawn between the Wheels by hand, the Wheels being revolved by the moving fabric or folded by various Well-known folders.

I prefer the use of a folder capable of lateral aswell as longitudinal adjustment in connection with my improved form of wheels. In folding sharply-curved edges of fabric the folded-over edge 0f fabric is necessarily considerably fulled, which prevents the foldedover edge from lying down fiat upon the main part of the fabric unless the transverse folds induced by the fullness, as well as the main longitudinal fold, are thoroughly pressed down and broken. By means of the double series of cogs I secure double the number of transverse breaks in the folded edge in the same longitudinal space, and also produce a longitudinal ridge or break F in the foldedover portion, as shown in Fig. 9, which divides the transverse breaks F produced by the cogs. This longitudinal ridge also serves to permit a slight disturbance or lifting of the edge of the folded-over portion of the fabric without opening the main fold. The diagonal slot C? in the folder-shank permits of a lateral as Well as longitudinal adjustment of the folder, and the folder can be so adjusted laterally as to cause the folded-over portion of the fabric to be equally engaged by both series of cogs on each of the wheels, as shown in Fig. 9, when curved Work is to be executed, or so as to cause the Whole of such folded-over portion to be engaged by one series only in straight work, thus reducing the amount of power required to properly press the folded edge.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for folding and pressing the edge of fabrics, the combination, with a Wheel fixed-upon a rotary shaft and provided with a double series of peripheral cogs or anges, having the flanges in one series 1ocated 'opposite the flutes in the other series,

of a similar Wheel rotary in suitable bear-- ings, an oscillatory arm supporting Vsuch bearings, means for oscillating such arm, and means for rotating the Wheel supporting shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for folding and pressing the edge of fabrics, the combination, With a -pair of coacting Wheels, each of which is provided With a double series of peripheral cogs or anges, having the anges in one series located opposite the .flutes in the other series, of a folder-guide laterally adjustable relatively to such Wheels, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of February, 1890.

JAMES F. FELLOWS. Witnesses:

FRANK C. CURTIS, CHAs. L. ALBEN. 

